Creepy Nuts, SixTONES and Mrs. GREEN APPLE lead in their respective categories on Billboard Japan’s 2024 mid-year charts, tallying the weeks from Nov. 27, 2023, through May 26, 2024.
Creepy Nuts’ “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” tops the Japan Hot 100 on the mid-year roundup. The MASHLE season 2 opener was released digitally on Jan. 7, and has been streamed 348,998,877 times during the tallying period. Total streams for the hip-hop hit sailed past 300 million at the second fastest pace in Japan chart history, second only to YOASOBI’s “Idol,” the No. 1 song of the year for 2023. “BBBB” also holds the No. 1 spot on Billboard Japan’s Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan list for the first half of the year. This chart ranks songs from Japan being heard in more than 200 countries and regions worldwide.
On “BBBB” ruling the mid-year charts, Creepy Nuts’ rapper R-shitei shares, “I wasn’t expecting it at all, so I’m surprised, or rather… It still hasn’t really hit me yet. But I’m thankful. It’s gratifying,” while DJ Matsunaga says with a laugh, “The song became a hit when I was working at my own pace, in a kind of ‘I’ll just take it slow and have fun making music’ mindset, which highlighted the unexpectedness of it all. I’m at a place where it’s all too much of a blessing and I haven’t been able to take it in.”
Fifteen-year-old singer-songwriter tuki.’s “Bansanka” follows at No. 2 on the mid-year Japan Hot 100, and YOASOBI’s “Idol” is still going strong at No. 3.
On the Japan Hot Albums list, SixTONES’ fourth project THE VIBES takes the top spot, selling a total of 571,187 copies during the tallying period after being released Jan. 10, hitting No. 1 for the sales metric.
“We’re thankful for being ranked No. 1 for the first half of this year,” says SixTONES member Jesse. “We’re very happy and full of gratitude because this is the result of our music reaching so many people. Each of our albums has its own concept, and this time we aimed to create a work that ‘boosts your vibes’ by including a wide range of songs with a focus on rock. We’re sure anyone can find a song in this set that ‘boosts their vibes,’ and that this album will make people go, ‘Such idols exist?!’ with surprise. If you haven’t listened to it yet, please give it a try! Our group will continue to take on various musical challenges, so please look forward to it!”
At No. 2 on the mid-year albums chart is SEVENTEEN’s best-of collection 17 IS RIGHT HERE, and Hikaru Utada’s all-time greatest hits album SCIENCE FICTION, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the J-pop superstar’s debut, is at No. 3.
Mrs. GREEN APPLE is the top artist on the mid-year Japan Artist 100 chart, compiled from the results of the Japan Hot 100 and Hot Albums charts. The three-man band has been a constant on the Japan Hot 100, with 14 tracks including “Que Sera Sera” and “Dance Hall” charting on the list.
“We’re very honored to be ranked No. 1 on the artist chart,” says Mrs. GREEN APPLE frontman Motoki Ohmori. “We’d like to thank our JAM’S (fandom) and the many people who always support us from the bottom of our hearts. We hope to keep making the ship that is Mrs. GREEN APPLE bigger through various activities to deliver works that we ourselves can be excited about and think are good! Once again, thank you very much for this honor.”
YOASOBI follows at No. 2 on the Artist 100 tally, now one of Japan’s biggest acts whose performances at this year’s Coachella and visit to the White House made headlines in the duo’s home country. Veteran band back number comes in at No. 3, with nine songs charting in the top 100, including hits “Suiheisen” and “Takaneno Hanakosan.”
Billboard Japan Hot 100 Mid-Year Chart 2024
1. “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” / Creepy Nuts
2. “Bansanka” / tuki.
3. “Idol” / YOASOBI
4. “Show” / Ado
5. “Que Sera Sera” / Mrs. GREEN APPLE
6. “Kaiju No Hanauta” / Vaundy
7. “IKUOKUKONEN” / Omoinotake
8. “SPECIALZ” / King Gnu
9. “The Brave” / YOASOBI
10. “Be a flower” / Ryokuoushoku Shakai
Billboard Japan Hot Albums Mid-Year Chart 2024
1. THE VIBES / SixTONES
2. 17 IS RIGHT HERE / SEVENTEEN
3. SCIENCE FICTION / Hikaru Utada
4. THE GREATEST UNKNOWN / King Gnu
5. SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN / SEVENTEEN
6. MATCH UP / INI
7. AWARD / WEST.
8. Road to A / Travis Japan
9. PULL UP! / Hey! Say! JUMP
10. Reboot / TREASURE
Billboard Japan Artist 100 Mid-Year Chart 2024
1. Mrs. GREEN APPLE
2. YOASOBI
3. back number
4. Ado
5. Vaundy
6. Official HIGE DANdism
7. King Gnu
8. Creepy Nuts
9. Yuuri
10. Aimyon